Clotilde Jiménez
Leopoldo, 2024
Clotilde Jiménez (1998)
Leopoldo, 2024
Bronze
Primarily known for collage and ceramic sculptures, Clotilde Jiménez considers his work a form of storytelling. The bust of Leopoldo is a sculpture of the lead character in his opera, The Grotto: An Opera in 2 Acts. This was Jiménez’s first performance work, commissioned by the Museo Jumex in 2024. The Grotto tells the story of Leopoldo who is enticed into a cave by water spirits while playing in a river in Mexico. On his return home the same day, it appears as though five years have passed. His community disown Leopoldo as cursed. Alone, Leopoldo emigrates to the United States illegally. Based on a true story, the opera, is a contemporary parable of exclusion and dispossession.